Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Introduction
Iron is a mineral needed to make haemoglobin, the red pigment in blood which carries oxygen around the body. Babies and children need to eat iron to grow properly. A lack of iron can cause children to become pale, tired, lacking in energy and irritable, which can be common in children with Coeliac Disease.
The best way to ensure there is enough iron in your child’s diet is for them to eat a healthy, varied but balanced diet.
Vitamin C helps the body to absorb the iron from foods. Tea and coffee stop iron being absorbed by the body. Try fruit and fruit juice (particularly citrus fruits, kiwis, oranges or strawberries) at the same meal and avoid tea and coffee at mealtimes and up to 1hr after.
Always check food labels to ensure the food is gluten free—particularly the foods marked **
Example of Suitable Foods
|
|
Food |
Iron Content |
|
Animal sources |
Liver (100g) fried Mince beef (100g) Pork Sausages x2 medium ** Sardines (2 tinned) Roast beef—1 slice (45g) Egg yolk (1 egg) Salmon 50g (average tin 200g) Roast lamb—1 slice (30g) Chicken 1 breast (100g) 1 beefburger (100% beef) ** 2 fishfingers ** Grilled bacon 1 rasher (25g) Tuna 50g (average tin 185g) Cod 100g Roast pork—1 slice (30g) |
10-15 mg 2.7mg 1.5 mg 1.5 mg 1.4 mg 0.9 mg 0.8 mg 0.5-0.8mg 0.5 mg 0.5 mg 0.5 mg 0.5 mg 0.5 mg 0.5 mg 0.5 mg |
|
|
Food |
Iron Content |
|
Non-Animal sources |
Cornflakes 5 tablespoons (30g) ** Rice crispies 7-8 tablespoons (30g) ** Gluten free wholemeal/granary bread (2 slices) ** Gluten free white bread (2 slices) ** Spinach 100g (cooked) Baked beans 100g (1/4 tin) ** Lentils 1 tablespoon (40g) Plain chocolate (50g) Peas (2 tablespoons) Broccoli Florets (2) Gluten free porridge (made with 100mls of milk) Dried fruit—1 heaped tablespoon (25g) |
2.3 mg 2.3 mg 2.0-3.0 mg 2.0mg 1.6 mg 1.4 mg 1.4mg 1.2mg 1.0mg 0.9mg 0.7mg 0.5mg |
Daily Requirements
The amount of iron you need varies at different stages of life
|
Infants |
0-3 months 4-6 months 7-12 months |
1.7 mg 4.3 mg 7.8 mg |
|
Children |
1—3 years 4—6 years 7—10 years |
6.9 mg 6.1 mg 8.7 mg |
|
Young People |
11—18 years boys 11—18 years girls |
11.2 mg 14.5 mg |
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.
About this information
Service:
Dietetics
Reference:
DT/077
Approval date:
21 May 2026
Review date:
1 May 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.